“Oh, no; come to think of it, it didn’t look very much like a raft, either. You see, it was out pretty far, and I wasn’t paying much attention.” “Who were the fellows?” “I don’t know. They had a pretty smart-looking craft, but whose it was I couldn’t make out.” My heart sank at Tom Darrow’s words. I was certain that the supposed raft was nothing less than the Catch Me. The question was, what had the men who found her done with her? “What makes you so interested in the sloop?” went on Tom curiously. “She belongs to me, Tom.” “What! Where did you ever raise money enough to buy her?” “I didn’t buy her; she was given to me.” Tom Darrow was more taken aback than ever. I enjoyed his amazement, and told my story. “I declare, Rube, you’re quite a hero, and no mistake!” cried the fisherman. “So he gave you the sloop for the job? It was money easily earned.” “It wasn’t earned at all, Tom. But the question is, what has become of the craft? Unless I find her she won’t do me any good.” “True enough; but you are sure to find her sooner or later. She can’t leave the lake very well, and all you’ve got to do is to keep your eyes open.” “I don’t know about that,” I replied, shaking my head. “They might change her rigging a bit, and paint her over, and I would have a job recognizing her.” “So they might if they were sneaks enough to do so; and I reckon some of them north-enders ain’t too good to try it on. Tell you what I’ll do.” “What?” “I’ll try to hunt her up for you.” “Will you? I’ll pay you for your trouble, Tom.” “Don’t want no pay, Rube. You’ve done me many a good turn, and so did your father when he was here. I’ll take a trip around the lake first thing to-morrow.” “And so will I. Between the two of us we ought to discover something.” After this we arranged our plan. Darrow was to start from the Bend, and go up the west shore, while I was to come down from the mill, and investigate along the east shore. At noon we were to meet at Bayport and compare notes. “By the way,” said he, when this matter was finished, “heard from your father lately?” “I expect a letter next week,” I replied. “He is out in South Dakota. He hasn’t located yet.” “Hope he strikes it rich when he does,” concluded Darrow. “No man in these parts deserves it more.” Leaving the pier, I made my way to Mr. Jackson’s store, which, as I have said, was the largest at the Bend. I found the merchant behind the counter, weighing out sugar. “Well, have you come to settle up?” he asked shortly. “I have come to pay some on account,” I replied. “How much?” “Twenty-one dollars.” “Why don’t you pay the whole bill of twenty-four, and be done?” “Because I haven’t so much. Some of the middlings I sold Mr. Carnet got wet, and I had to make a reduction.” “Humph! Well, hand over the money. Every little helps. But I can’t trust out any more goods till the entire amount is settled.” And Mr. Jackson placed twenty-one dollars in the drawer, and gave me credit on his books.